NEWPORT are set to face a Swansea side devoid of enthusiasm for their Welsh League clash at Rodney Parade tomorrow after the All Whites went into temporary administration on Monday.

And it looks to be the last time Newport will tackle Swansea at home in their current format unless someone steps in to rescue the West Walians.

St Helen's coach John Connolly reckoned that only those in his squad who were trying to get contracts for a place in the proposed new provincial set-up in Welsh rugby next season - including Blaenavon-born Wales centre Mark Taylor - will have something to go for now, starting with their trip to Gwent.

Others, said Connolly, were more inclinded to be looking at the job market than be concentrating their minds on running out to face the Black and Ambers.

And, despite the Aussie boss trying to get his men's minds off the critical situation at St Helen's, he admits it has been far from easy this week.

Connolly has only been at Swansea since last summer but has, along with his squad of players, seen his contract ripped up now.

He said: "It's not been the ideal build-up to the match because we have not been able to train. There are meetings and guys are looking at their own futures.

"But we have talked about separating what is happening on the field with what is going on off it.

"And it will be difficult to get them motivated because players will be worried about what is going to happen.

"But, on the other side of the coin, many of the Welsh players will be playing for the next three months to get a contract in the provincial side.

"It was a tough decision for the club to make and it's a shame we cannot get through this year financially. All contracts will be ripped up - including mine."

Newport have decided on their centre pair after worries about a flu bug. Jason Jones-Hughes and Jonathan Pritchard will play, with Hal Luscombe on the bench.